Portable railway



March 14, 1967 H. INGOLD 3,309,022

PORTABLE RAILWAY Filed May 21, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGI arch 14, 1967H. INGOLD 3,309,022

PORTABLE RAILWAY Filed May 21, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 14, 1967 H.INGOLD PORTABLE RAILWAY 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 21. 1963 INVENTOR.IVA/V5 I I/VGOLD Y March 14, 1967 H. INGOLD 3,309,022

PORTABLE RAILWAY Filed May 21, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E a i A WW2 FEGEEaF5138 $153,, M l/V5 fiZ Zb United States Patent Ofiice 3,309,022Patented Mar. 14, 1967 3,309,022 PORTABLE RAILWAY Hans Ingold,Seefeldstrasse 224, Zurich, Switzerland Filed May 21, 1963, Ser. No.282,059 Claims priority, application Switzerland, May 24, 1962, 6,288/62 11 Claims. (Cl. 238-) This invention relates, in general, toconstructional elements and assembly of such elements, and, inparticular, to a new and useful construction forming a trackway and thelike, made up of interconnected structural elements.

The invention has a significance for a great number of applications suchas, for example, for support constructions which are made fortransportable or movable containers, for scalioldings, for buildingpurposes, for track installations, mast-like girders or towers, etc. Theinvention, particularly, relates to the construction of track- Ways,which are to be employed in connection with large containers, such as,book shelves, filing cabinets and the like. The feature of the inventionis the employment of individual constructional elements, or rod members,which may be interconnected in a simple manner at the location of theiruse without special aids, and may be similarly separated from each otherfor storage purposes. The individual constructional elements comprisemembers, some of which have projecting tongue elements formed on aconnecting side which interengage with recesses formed on similarelements to be connected thereto. The elements may be assembled togetherin such a manner that they will be structurally rigid after erection,but in some instances, additional security means, such as screws, areadvantageously provided. The feature of the invention is that theindividual structural elements are equipped with interengaging couplingparts which engage with one another in such a positive shape-lockingfashion that the assembly is secured against external forces.

In a preferred form of the invention, a security against forces actingin a longitudinal direction of the rods is achieved. It should beappreciated that security against longitudinal forces also includes theconcept that the structure will be secure against forces actingobliquely, or which have a component force in the longitudinaldirection.

In accordance with a specific embodiment of the invention there isprovided a support trackway for carrying carriages of a supportingcontainer, or book cases and the like, which carriages may be shiftedbackwardly and forwardly over the trackway.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an assembly ofstructural elements having interengaging coupling parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved trackwaystructure for movable book cases, cupboards and the like, whichcomprises a plurality of structural elements which are interengaged witheach other by projecting tongue and recess coupling portions tofacilitate a rapid erection and dismantling of the structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a trackway structurebase support or the like, which includes spaced longitudinal elementswhich are held rigidly erect by transverse elements which areinterengaged therewith by projecting-tongue and receiving recesscoupling portions of the respective parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structural assembly ofinterconnected elements, which is simple in design, rugged inconstruction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination supporting base andtrackway structure for book cases constructed in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of one section of the trackway indicatedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another portion of the trackway;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the section corresponding to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the section corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial transverse section taken on the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a transverse beam;

FIG. 9 is a section taken on the line 99 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a section taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view similar to the left hand portion ofFIG. 7 of another embodiment of the construction;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are side elevations of other embodiments of connectingelements;

FIGS. 12a and 13a are end elevations of the connect ing elements ofFIGS. 12 and 13, respectively;

FIG. 14 is a section taken on the line 1414 of FIG. 4; 5 Flii. 15 is asection taken on the line 1515 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a section similar to FIG. 11 indicating the detailedconnection of an end piece.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention, as embodiedtherein, comprises a structural combination base and trackway, generallydesignated 50, having rounded upstanding rail portions 12 formed onlongitudinal members 5 defining trackways for wheels 52 of the carriagesof a single book case or cupboard 2 and a double book case or cupboard3. The overall assembled structure described is particularlyadvantageous for the storage of books, files and the like, and both thecupboards 2 and 3 and the trackway, or support 50, may be rapidlyassembled at the site of use.

As indicated, particularly, in FIGS. 25, the combination base andtrackway comprises: laterally spaced longitudinal girders 5, which areinterconnected by a plurality of transverse rods, or substantiallyU-shaped structural elements 6, fixed together to form an assembly, orsecnon, generally designated 50a in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, or a section,generally designated 5% in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. One end of the section 50ais advantageously finished with a finishing structural element orrounded piece 7, which includes a top wall portion 7a, which overlies aportion of the first transverse element 6 and includes projections 2?formed at each end, which engage in recesses 30 formed on an inner flattop portion 5a of the trough-shaped longitudinal elements 5. (See FIGS.4 and 16). The assembly 50a includes coupling elements 8, 8 arranged ateach side adjacent an outer web portion 5b of the longitudinal elements5 (See FIGS. 9 and 10) and includes a hook, or recess, portion 8a whichprojects in a longitudinal outward direction for interengagement withthe rounded, or projection, portion 9a of a coupling element 9 held on acorresponding end of the assembly 50b in order to permit interengagementof the assemblies 50a and 50b.

The assembly 50b differs from the assembly 50a, indicated in FIGS. 2 and4, bythe provision of anend piece, or transverse finishing member 10,which includes a buffer plate 11 at each side which aligns with the endof the track 12. The plate 11 includes an inclined, or oblique, portion11b, which serves for the retention of the cupboards 2 and 3 by limitingthe movement of the rollers 52 on the track. The end piece 10 isemployed when a particular stop at the end of the frame is necessary.The constructional element 7 is employed when a stop at the end of theframe is not necessary.

The individual girder frame elements can be adapted in their dimensionslargely to the purpose in each case. For example, for the purpose ofstorage of various articles, they can have a width of from 1 meter toseveral meters with an appropriate length of the longitudinal girders.The length and width of the support construction to be taken intoconsideration for the production are determined from the view point ofthe most extensive possible standardization. Sizes will be chosen sothat for any particular installation, there will be a minimum number ofdifferent dimensions for the individual parts. Such parts areparticularly the longitudinal girders 5, the transverse rods 6 and theend pieces 7 and 10. Elements 4 are employed as covers between theseparts.

For installations with great length of the support con-v struction,there are also provided intermeditae frames for insertion in the centerbetween the frame assemblies 500 and 50b for example. The intermediateframes would be identical with those illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 withthe exception that the end pieces 7 and 10 would not be included, butthere would be coupling elements arranged at each end. In FIGS. 6 and 7,it can be seen that the longitudinal elements 5 include the flat uppersurface portion 5a, the side portion 5b and the intermediate, or roundedrails, 12. The outer vertical portion 5b is provided with notched areas18 in order to facilitate its insertion around tabs 19, which have hookareas 20 defined therein for interlocking, the longitudinal element 5 tothe transverse element 6. An inner vertical wall or leg 50 of thelongitudinal member 5, 5 includes a tab portion 17 (FIG. 7) which fitsinto a recess 21 defined in the top base 6a of the trough-shapedtransverse element 6. When the tabs are inserted into the space -16,defined within the transverse element 6, the tab 17 may be bent tosecure the elements 5 and 6 together.

In theassernbly of the girder frame, the longitudinal girders 5 areplaced, with the rail 12 outwardly, upon each end of the transverse rod6 so that the tabs 17 engage in the slots 21, and are pressed downwardlyuntil the notches 18, formed in the vertical portions 5b, fit into thenotches of hooks 19. In the locked position, the upwardly directedprojections 20,0f the tabs 19 engage behind the outer side plate 5b sothat a firm locking is provided against forces which act in a directionof the transverse member 6.

As indicated inFIG. 6, the right hand end portion 22, extends outwardlyat the inner portion 50, with the rail 12 and the outer portion 5b beingcut away in order to facilitate the reception of a transverse end pieceof a type such as the type 7 or 10, indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3,respectively.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, there is indicated the arrangementof theunder-gripping coupling element 8 and the overgripping coupling element9, respectively. InFIG. 11, the position of these coupling elements isindicated in section, and they serve to firmly interconnect theassemblies 50a and 50b. The coupling elements 8 and 9 are fiat,

plates and the one 8 includes a coupling hook 23 and the one 9 includes,a complimentary coupling nose 24. The

upper edge of the coupling hook 23 is so shapedthat, in,

the coupled state, it rests exactly on the lower edge of the couplingnose 24. By referring to the position of the girder frames, indicated inFIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that coupling can take place. by liftingthe left hand assembly 50a, and pushing the entire assemblyto the rightinto abutment so that the hooks of the coupling elements 8 slip betweenthe noses of the coupling elements 9, and then the assembly 59a may belowered to interlock the as semblies. interengagernent to resist forcesboth in longitudinal and transverse directions. advantageously securedto the wall portion 5b of the longitudinal elements and portions extendupwardly beneath the shaped rail portions 12. The connection may bemade, for-example, by means of spot welding. Tabs 25 and 26 are providedwhich extend downwardly through rectangular recesses 27, cut in an endof the transverse member6 (See FIGS. 8 and 10). In FIG. 11 there is alsoillustrated an additional securing of the transverse element 6 inrelation to the longitudinal element S'by bending the tab 17 so that itwill be impossible to draw the tab 17 upwardly out of the transverseslot 21 in the transverse element 6;

InFIGS. 14-16, there is indicated the nature of the connection of theend pieces 7 and 10 with the girder frame. FIGS.'14 and 15 indicate suchan arrangement in longitudinal section through the longitudinal girder5, and according to FIG. 14, the end piece 7 grips with its entire topsurface 7a over the projecting part 22 of the top surface of thelongitudinal girder 5. The tabs 29 formed at each end of the element 7are engaged in the transverse slots 30, as indicated in FIG. 2. The slot31 in the lateral part of the end piece 7 permits engagement over thetab 19..

In FIG. 15, the end piece 10 is shown secured by an additional buiferplate 11 with an obliquely disposed edge. The buffer plate 11 lies withits inside against the external lateral edge of the covering surface ofthe end piece 10 as may be seen from FIG. 5. Its part lying on the leftcarries, on its underside, a downwardly directed tab 33, which fits intothe, slot34 defined on the transverse element 6 (see FIG. 3). Betweenthe buffer plates 11 and the correspondingly lateral outer part of theend piece 10, there is inserted a rubber buffer 32. This rubber bufferserves as stop for the wheels of the cupboard units indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 indicates an amplification of FIGS. 2 and 14, showing anadditional locking between the end piece 7 and the longitudinal girder5. For this purpose in the end of a tab 29, similar to tab 7b, there isprovided a hooked-shaped recess 35. The nose 36v of the hook so producedgrips behind the vertical edge of the slot 30 on the longitudinal girder5, and, thus, the end piece is additionally secured against turningforces directed perpendicularly of its longitudinal axis. The end piece10 may be secured to the longitudinal girders 5 in a correspondingmanner.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A frame comprising, in combination, longitudinal and transversegirders of substantially inverted U-shape cross section, the transverse.girders extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalgirders; the outer legs of the longitudinal girders being higher thanthe inner legs thereof, and the legs of the transverse girders beingsubstantially equal in height; the end surfaces of the transversegirders abuttingthe inner surfaces of the outer legs of the longitudinalgirders; the ends of the legs of the transverse girders havingprojections interlocking with notches in the outer legs of thelongitudinal girders; the inner legs of the longitudinal girders havingtabs engaged in slots in the webs of the transverse girders.

2. A structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein the webs of saidlongitudinal girders have a raised rail 1 portion formed adjacent theouter edges thereof for defining a rail trackway.

3. A frame, as claimed in claim 1, in which said pro- The interlockingstructure provides for a firm.

The coupling plates 8 and 9 are jections on the ends of the legs of thetransverse girders are formed as upwardly directed hooks, one on each ofeach leg of a transverse girder, each hook having a lug portionexternally engaging the outer surface of the outer leg of the associatedlongitudinal girder.

4. A frame, as claimed in claim 1, including interengageable releasablecoupling elements connecting the longitudinal girders in end-to-endrelation; said coupling elements projecting from the ends of thelongitudinal girders and being juxtaposed in contact with the innersurfaces of the outer legs of the longitudinal girders.

5. A frame, as claimed in claim 4, said coupling elements having tabsengaging in slots adjacent the ends of the webs of said transversegirders.

6. A frame, as claimed in claim 4, in which said coupling elementscomprise flat vertically Oriented plates, one coupling element of eachinterlocked pair comprising a coupling hook and the other couplingelement of the interlocked pai-r comprising a coupling nose conforminglyengageable with said coupling hook.

7. A frame, as claimed in claim 1, including two end pieces eachextending parallel to the transverse girders and each havinginterlocking engagement with one transverse girder and the twolongitudinal girders at the ends of said transverse girder.

8. A frame, as claimed in claim 7, including a buflFer plate mounted onat least one end piece; said buffer plate having a projection engagedthrough a slot in the associated transverse girder.

9. A frame, as claimed in claim 7, the ends of the outer legs of thelongitudinal girders being cutaway to form notches receiving legs onsaid end pieces; the webs of the longitudinal girders being formed withrecesses receiving interlocking projections on said end pieces.

10. A frame, as claimed in claim 9, in which said legs on said endpieces are formed with downwardly opening notches interengageable withsaid projections on the ends of the legs of the transverse girders.

11. A frame, as claimed in claim 10, in which said projections on saidend pieces are in the form of hooks having noses interlocking with thelongitudinal girders having the slots receiving said last-namedprojections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 293,853 2/1884Dolber 23810 1,175,244 3/1916 Day 23826 1,379,958 5/1921 Blumenthol2381O 1,457,771 6/1923 Ferguson 238l22 2,422,047 6/1947 Schaffan 2381O2,524,959 10/1950 Clark 2391O ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner.

R. A. BERTSCH, Assistant Examiner.

1. A FRAME COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSEGIRDERS OF SUBSTANTIALLY INVERTED U-SHAPE CROSS SECTION, THE TRANSVERSEGIRDERS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINALGIRDERS; THE OUTER LEGS OF THE LONGITUDINAL GIRDERS BEING HIGHER THANTHE INNER LEGS THEREOF, AND THE LEGS OF THE TRANSVERSE GIRDERS BEINGSUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL IN HEIGHT; THE END SURFACES OF THE